Hunters aim to put up fight with return of backline combo

THE SP Hunters hope to begin a mid-season charge with the return of key backline combinations for tomorrow’s Queensland Intrust Super Cup clash with Mackay Cutters at Bycroft Oval (3pm kick-off).
Winger Brendon Gotuno is among the returning players, three months after he broke his arm in the opening minutes of the last clash between the Hunters and the Cutters in Mackay.
“We’ve had a disrupted season with injuries and suspensions which has made it hard to get combinations working,” Hunters coach Matt Church said.
“It’s a huge benefit to get those combinations firing and we’re now back to fielding a backline which is the strongest we can name at the moment in terms of experience.
“We know that Mackay will be tough — their position on the ladder belies the fact that they have been very competitive against some strong teams.
“They are a big team through the middle and that’s where we have to take them on.”
Gotuno, Rau and Terry Wapi will resume their places in the back three for the Hunters with Wapi reclaiming the fullback role he was forced to give up with an ankle injury. Fixtures: Sat, July 3 — Jets v Falcons, Hunters v Cutters, Blackhawks v Devils, Bears v Tigers, Wynnum Manly v Pride, Capras v Dolphins; Sun, July 4 — Magpies v Tweed Heads.